Tip Talk

Posted May 6, 2001
11,160

Readers come up with hints, tips, and tricks for better cycling that we all can use.

ENERGY ICE

Rather than keep your sports drink cold with regular ice cubs, which water down the drinks as they melt, use cubes made from your drink. (Freeze them in normal ice-cube trays.) David Shayman, Ann Arbor, MI

TATTOO REMOVER

Everyone hates those chainring grease tattoos that magically appear on your right calf. They can be hard to remove with soap and water, but baby oil takes the mark off easy. David Kaplan, Gillette, NJ

SIMPLE PEDAL INSTALLATION

I could never remember the clockwise/counterclockwise rule for installing and removing pedals. Then I learned this: Install pedals by turning the nuts toward the front of the bike. Remove them by turning the nuts toward the back of the bike. This advice automatically adjusts the direction of wrenching. Philip Wagenaar, Seattle

EASY TOE-IN

When installing break pads, I insert a folded piece of cardboard (often from the package the pads came in) under the back end of the pad. When I tighten the pads, the cardboard acts as a wedge and provides instant toe-in, angling the front of the pads closer to the rim. It's no-fuss way to prevent squeal. Steven D. Krause, Redmond, WA

CLEANING CAP TRICK

I keep dirt off the top of my mountain bike's water bottle by covering the cap with a plastic sandwich bag held in place with a rubber band. Brandon Miller, Clarion, Iowa

POSITIONING NEW CLEATS

Before you remove your old cleats for replacement, outline their position on the sole with a felt marker or scratch with an awl. Installation is a snap, with no major adjustments. Robert Beck, Houston

CLEANING YOUR CONTACTS

Computer contacts that is. My computer would sometimes malfunction during a ride, not registering speed or miles traveled. I discovered that the problem is oxidation on the contacts of the handlebar bracket. You can prevent this by gently scraping the contacts with a small emergy cloth every so often. Robert Golomb, Lafayette, CA

FIX SLIPPING HELMETS

I couldn't adjust my helmet to prevent it from sliding down over my eyes when I rode over bumps. So I strung a zip-tie between the 2 back straps, about 2-3 inches below the helmet. This keeps the helmet loose enough to remove and put on easily, but supports it in back to prevent unintentional migration. Greg Golly, Dallas